Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Suresh Raina opted out of handling the Mumbai Indians (MI) paddle during Jio Cinema’s IPL auction strategy program as a gesture of respect toward Rohit Sharma. This decision came following Rohit’s recent removal as captain of MI, replaced by Hardik Pandya.
When offered the paddle by former MI player and scout Parthiv Patel, the CSK stalwart politely declined, mentioning that he would have accepted had Rohit still been leading the team. Raina’s remark elicited laughter among the panel members, including the anchor.
During his career, Raina faced off against the Mumbai Indians on numerous occasions, tallying 824 runs in 34 innings against the five-time champions at a strike rate of 139.42. Additionally, Raina shares a history of playing alongside Rohit in the national team, creating several memorable partnerships together on the field.
The IPL landscape underwent a significant shift after MI announced the return of Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans (GT). The franchise’s decision to appoint Pandya as the new captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, who held the position for ten years, stirred controversy among fans.
When parthiv patel asked Suresh raina to hold MI flag in Mock auction, Suresh raina denied and said :
— Ninja (@Ninja_045) December 20, 2023
"If Rohit Sharma was captain,I would have definetly hold MI flag."
This Gesture of raina summarize the Difference & Respect between Rohit & Hardik.pic.twitter.com/0gmYqrb0Zp
Amid criticism, reports surfaced indicating that Pandya had allegedly demanded the captaincy before the trade move, further complicating the situation. Experts have weighed in on this unfolding saga, while fans have voiced their opinions extensively across various social media platforms.